[Elijah's POV]
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The moment we stepped out of the portal, loud commotions ensued. People from the Association and medics ran all over the place, tending to people as fast as they can. It became really hectic when not only did the people see the legion stepping out of a portal in one piece but also a bunch of survivors in tow as well. The portal manager immediately rushed towards us when he was about done with giving out commands to those under him.
"Sir, I'm relieved to see you all come out of the gate in one piece. I'm sure the Association's president would be relieved as well," The Portal manager sincerely and politely said.
"Thank you," William only said with a curt nod.
"What is your name?" I asked, taking charge of the conversation since we don't really have much time left until we go in again.
"Sam, sir," The portal manager replied swiftly.
"Very well Sam, I will have to ask for you to do a few things, and urgently," I told him.
"I will do my very best sir," Sam said, ready to listen to my requests.
"I will have to ask you to bring out all available resources and supplies you have stored here, in about half an hour. Can you do that?" I told Sam
"It is manageable, Sir. But may I ask what you need the supplies for? I apologize for asking you this when you already told me the matter is urgent, but It's just for Association standard procedure and inventory checking purposes, Sir," Sam spoke with a polite and slightly troubled tone.
"I understand," I reassured him, "They are all going to be used for when we enter the gate once again."
"Y-you're all going inside again?" Sam was taken aback in disbelief. He was obviously surprised, with just how he turned to William and gave him a look that basically says, "Is he for real?"
To which William just responded with, "Do as he says."
"U-understood," Sam immediately nodded, before scurrying away to get what's asked of him.
Turning to everyone in the Legion, I said "Okay guys, we all have an hour. Get as much rest as you can!" And with that, everyone went on their own ways.
Jonathan and I sat under a big tree near the gate, where everything felt just so calm, especially since our current spot provides us with the best view of the stars. With the combination of the chilly night breeze and the ocean of stars above us, it really could relax oneself. As I was enjoying watching the stars, a shiver escaped me, which immediately caught Jonathan's attention. He proceeded to hook an arm around my shoulder, before pulling me closer to his body. His body was warm and comfortable, and I couldn't help but lean further into his embrace.
"Thanks, Tan," I said with a satisfied and contented sigh, as I rested my head on his shoulders.
Jonathan simply responded by planting a long tender kiss on the top of my head.
"By the way, can I check on your stats?" I asked Tan. With the battle with the Goblin Shaman, it would be safe to say that we were not only fruitful in loots, but in levels as well. So, I wanted to check on Jonathan's stats, to get a feel of how much he's grown.
[Status Window
Name: Jonathan Nightingale
Level: 41
Class: Soul Sword <
Title: The Duke's First-Ever Vassal | The Vassal That Never Gives Up
HP: 2300/1050 (+1250)
Mana: 2550/50 (+2500)
Stats:
STR: (-)(10) + 250 | AGI: (-)(7) + 250 | INT: (-)(5) + 250 | VIT: (-)(10) + 250 | DEX: (-)(5) + 250 | LUCK: (-)(5) + 250
Available Stat Points: 0]
Seeing Jonathan grow so much after just only facing the Goblin Shaman isn't even a surprise anymore. With how long the gate has been left alone, it is expected for the monsters inside of them to also grow. So with the gap in levels, the monsters gave out more EXP to Jonathan, since his level are lower than theirs. I mean, with Jonathan leveling so much, my levels also went up by leaps and bounds.
[Status Window:
Name: Elijah Reyes
Level: 32
Class: Duke <
Title: The Duke who cares for his people
HP: 635/375 (+260)
Mana: 570/150 (+420)
Stats:
STR: 5 | AGI: 5 | INT: 10+37 | VIT: 10(5)+42 | DEX: 5 | LUCK: 10
Stat Points: 27]
It was indeed very fruitful. Even my bond with Jonathan reached level 9 when it was just level 7, the last time I checked it. I guess you could say that we are getting really close, with the time we've been together. And I ain't complaining, at all.
I've always preferred being alone most of the time, but now that I have Jonathan in my life, he completely changed that. It felt like, Jonathan has slowly started becoming a part of me, that if without him, I couldn't live or function normally like how I used to. He's become an essential part of my life, and I'm totally in love with it.
"You've become really strong, Tan," I said, as I closed our status windows.
"It's all thanks to you," Jonathan said with a warm and tender voice, which just makes my heart melt.
"Well, I'll take some of the credit. But you have to also be proud of yourself. Without your hard work, you won't get to where you are right now. I just gave you the push that you need." I told him, as I turn to him with proud eyes. Like, darn it! This man is just the epitome of hard work. You can't help but just be proud of him.
Jonathan didn't say anything and just proceeded to plant a soft kiss on my lips this time. It was so tender, and his lips were so soft and warm, that it was making my head spin. It was kind of addicting, not gonna lie. So, I gently cupped his face before deepening our kiss. What can I say, I want more, sue me.
After our tender moment, we were both breathless when our lips parted. We both stared into each other's eyes, and from that moment on, I knew that I could no longer live without this man in front of me.
"Thank you for coming into my life, Tan," I told him with a soft voice, before I kissed him on the tip of his nose, then his forehead.
"Thank you, for finding and saving me," Jonathan replied with an equally soft voice.
The atmosphere was full of tenderness and adoration, but unfortunately, it didn't last long, as soon William called for us when Sam brought all the supplies we asked. Jonathan and I both got up from where we sat and immediately came over.
"This should be enough," I said in approval when I checked the inventory of the supplies that Sam brought.
"Evenly divide everything to each member of the legion. Spare nothing, since we have to be extremely prepared for what's to come," I instructed William, to which he nodded in agreement.
Not before long, the legion has divided the supplies and is now prepared and ready to go. After going through one final check with everyone and everything, I nodded my head in satisfaction. Now, the time has come, for round two.
"Legion, just like what I've said, the first time we entered. No one dies! Am I CLEAR!"
"Sir, yes Sir!" The legion responded in unison. Full of vigor and determination.
"That's the spirit! Now, Legion, forward!" I said with a commanding voice, as I began walking towards the portal.
And once again, we entered the portal one by one, determined to see this through the very end.
Going through the long tunnel once again, we reached the fork in the road that led to either the breeding ground or the boss' chamber. Since we already cleaned up the chamber, it's about time the boss of this place meets their end.
As we entered the path leading to the boss' chamber, the whole rotational system we had before, had to be thrown out the window, since what came for us is completely different from what we've seen so far. Instead of a hoard of lower goblins, what came after us is a hoard of goblin warriors instead, with the occasional goblin archers. Since what we're facing is completely different, we also had to adapt.
The path leading to the boss' chambers was harrowing, but we finally got there. It wasn't easy, and there were a lot of times that I started doubting myself. But thank God for Jonathan, he's always been there to keep my thoughts straight. He never faltered to encourage me, which in turn motivated me even more.
Now that we stand in front of these large double doors, only the boss of this gate lies waiting on the other side.
"Are we all ready?" I asked everyone, just to be sure. Because once we enter, there's no going back.
"Yes, we are all ready," William answered for everyone.
"Alrighty then, let's go and meet the boss of this place," I said before Jonathan and I pushed the double doors open.
Entering the dimly lit chamber, it was pretty dark, and the atmosphere was heavy. It was a big circular room, with only a few torches lit. The chamber was visibly cleaner than the rest that we've seen so far, which just goes to show how powerful the opponent we are about to face. It's very cliché since I've read about these kinds of stuff since I was ten. With things like structure, space, environment, and whatnot. You can somehow deduce the strength of the opponent you are about to face.
When we all neared the center of the chamber, the double doors behind us closed shut, and a magical barrier sealed it shut, preventing anyone from going in or out. Then, torches around the chamber started lighting up one by one, lighting up the chamber completely. From reviewing the diary, I had an idea of what to expect, but the sight that greeted me, almost made me puke my guts out in disgust.
There, on the far northern part of the chamber lies a throne, where a hulking green mass of a goblin sat with a smug smirk on its face, while human slaves pleasure it with their bodies. I clenched my jaw at the revolting sight, thinking that we have already rescued every human survivor inside the gate, but alas there were more. It shook me to the core because for this whole expedition, I have been relying on the pieces of information provided in the diary. But seeing more survivors in the boss chambers wasn't mentioned in the diary at all.
The four human survivors were all stripped down to nothingness, while metal collars were around their necks. They all had this look in their eyes, where it was clear that their minds have already shattered to pieces. While the goblin in charge treated them like pets.
When the goblin saw the sight of us, its eyes flared with savage excitement. As it stood and slowly walked towards us, we could finally see the monster that terrorized multiple human survivors for only God knows how long.
Written above the monster: <
And let me just say, the moment I saw its level, I only had one thought in mind.
OH. MY. LORD!
The gate has been left alone for so long, that the boss actually grew to be a creature comparable to a low-level platinum gate boss. It going to be extremely difficult defeating that guy, but I have faith in everybody that we can pull this through. I mean, we have to!
The Goblin Champion slowly walked forward, whilst smugly cracking its knuckles and neck from side to side. As it does so, everyone proceeded to take a stance and ready themselves for what's to come.